Goodbye Monkey, hello Rooster! Another prosperous year comes ahead. Today (6^th February), Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) celebrated the Chinese New Year with distinctive guests from the local media industry in “RTHK Lunar New Year Celebration for the Year of the Rooster”.  Representatives of local electronic media gathered delightedly to give their blessings to Hong Kong.

          Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Gregory SO officiated a kick-off ceremony with Director of Broadcasting LEUNG Ka-wing after their speeches.  An elegant masterwork of Chinese calligraphy by renowned master Professor Jao Tsung-I was then revealed.  In coherence with the meaning of the calligraphy, the two officiating guests extended their best wishes to everyone for peace and happiness.  Afterwards, Chairman of the Communications Authority Ambrose HO joined them to host the ribbon-tying and eye-dotting ceremonies before the traditional lion dance performance.

          The joyous occasion ushered in auspicious Year of the Rooster with a super golden egg on stage and a huge Chinese New Year paper-cut designed and handcrafted by the famous Chinese paper-cut artist LI Yun-xia.  Besides a display of a giant balloon sculpture of golden rooster, kid performers who dressed up in lovely “chicken” outfits also spiced up the festive atmosphere of the event.  In addition, spectacular performances were presented with good luck wishes for Hong Kong.  Daniel YEUNG, awarded by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council as the “Best Artist of the Year (Dance)” in 2013, choreographed a modernistic transparent lion dance.  Qoosa, a well-known quick change artist, as well as an all-rounded performer in China, stunned the audience by an amazing quick costume-change trick with singing and dancing.

          The representatives of nine significant electronic media organizations extended their Lunar New Year greetings to the audience in the event.  They included Director & Chief Executive Officer of Dim Sum Television Co. Ltd. (HK) SZETO Kit; Executive Director of Hong Kong Cable Television Ltd. Samuel TSANG; Programme Development Manager of CR1, Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Co. Ltd. Ken KWOK; General Manager of Hong Kong Television Entertainment Co. Ltd. – viuTV LO Ting-fai; Managing Director of Metro Broadcast Corporation Ltd. SUNG Man-hei; Deputy Director & Station Director of One TV Media Global Ltd. Jane CHEN; Senior Vice President of Technology & Operations of now TV, PCCW Media Ltd. Belinda CHAN; Executive Vice President of Phoenix Satellite TV Holdings Ltd. YEUNG Ka-keung; and General Manager of Television Broadcasts Ltd. CHEONG Sin-keung.

           “RTHK Lunar New Year Celebration for the Year of the Rooster” was hosted by RTHK DJ Timothy CHENG and Alex LEE, and complimented by the Chinese couplet written by veteran media practitioner YEUNG Shui-sang, which expressed good wishes for the New Year.  The event was broadcast live at 2:30pm on Radio 2 (FM 94.8 – 96.9), RTHK TV31 and 31A.  It can also be found on RTHK website (tv.rthk.hk) and mobile application “RTHK Screen” and “RTHK Mine”.